Reliable internet automotive sources have listed excessive wear of the intermediate (balance shaft) valve timing chain sprocket in early 2001 24-valve vr6 engines. The inadequately hardened sprocket teeth will veer excessively, such that chain "jumpeds" a tooth and since the vr6 is an "interference" valve-train engine, the engine will essentially be irreparably damaged.
The worst 2001 Volkswagen Eurovan problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine8
- Brakes3
- Electrical3
- Seats2
- Suspension2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine8
- Brakes3
- Electrical3
- Seats2
- Suspension2
- Transmission2
- Wheels2
- Acceleration1
- Steering1
- Tires1
- Visibility1
Recalls 1
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual
- What is wrong
- On certain minivans equipped with child restraint anchorages (tether anchorages) for use in conjunction with child restraints installed in the three rearmost seating positions, the "safety first" portion of the owner's manual delivered with these vehicles incorrectly instructs owners to guide the tether strap underneath the seat's head restraint and to raise the head restraint slightly, if necessary.
- Risk
- If the owner follows these instructions, the head restraint could accidentally separate from the seat in the event of a crash and cause injury to any child occupant seated in the tethered child seat.
- Remedy
- Owners will be sent a new "safety first" booklet that will contain corrected use instructions. Owner notification began november 30, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free booklet within a reasonable time should contact vwoa at 1‑800‑822‑8987.
Recall number 02V136000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2001 Volkswagen Eurovan
Defect investigations
Engine cooling fan blade fracture
The subject vehicles are built on a volkswagen eurovan chassis and are class c motor homes. On september 5, 2007, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation as rq 07-002 after receiving four consumer reports of fan blade failure on model year 2002 winnebago rialta and vista vehicles.as a result of additional information received from volkswagen in response to rq 07-002, the investigation was upgraded to engineering analysis (ea) 08-002.the scope of the ea investigation was also expanded to cover model years 2001 through 2004 rialta and vista, 2002 through 2004 sunstar, and 2001 through 2003 eurovan.all of these vehicles utilize the same engine cooling fan.however, the winnebago vehicles are larger and heavier than the eurovan.as a consequence, the cooling fan would operate more frequently in the winnebago vehicles compared to the eurovan for the same on-road operating conditions.analysis of the available data concerning the problem experience indicates that it predominately affects the my 2002 winnebago models.winnebago accounts for 79% of all the reports, but represents only 23% of the total subject vehicle population.the majority of the winnebago reports are for the model year 2002 (64%).the data show a declining report trend, particularly for the 2002 winnebago.reports on the 2002 winnebago reached a high of 11 reports in calendar year 2005, dropping to three reports in 2006,two reports in 2007, and one report in 2008.an existing safety related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
EA08002
Engine cooling fan blade fracture
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation based on four reportsalleging failure of an engine cooling fan in the subject vehicles.three of the complainants alleged the fan disintegrated and two of the three alleged the radiator was damaged as a result.the fourth complainant alleged that his vehicle experienced violent shaking and overheating.when the vehicle was inspected, it was noted that pieces of the fan were missing.all four vehicles were class c motor homes built on a volkswagen eurovan chassis.two of the vehicles are rialta models and two are vista models.based onadditional information received from volkswagen odi is upgrading this investigation toengineering analysis ea 08-002 for further study.
RQ07002
Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Volkswagen Eurovan 124
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- Update model year applicability to include 2023.
- Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger
- Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
- Tool number added to table
- Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
- Update vehicle metadata.
- The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
2001 Volkswagen Eurovan fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8L 6‑cyl | FWD | 14-15 | 18 | 16 |
What 2001 Volkswagen Eurovan owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Driver seat heater caught fire and melted hole in seat. This is a very dangerous and should be a recall item.
Engine cooling fan blade failure. The larger of the 2 fan blade wheels has a large missing piece which has somehow disintegrated without any reasonable explanation. I understand there was an investigation of the eurovan engine cooling fan blade, however a recall has not been issued, while there was a recall on the rialta, which uses the same fan as the eurovan.
Traveling with two other rialta motor homes visiting joshia tree np when I heard a banging sound like something hitting under my rialta. I immediately noted an increase in water temperature and then the red warning light came on the dash. I pulled to the side of the road, opened the hood, but could not see a busted hose, but there was antifreeze on the ground. I had a spare gallon with me and filled the reservoir to recommended level, drove about 3-4 miles and had to repeat procedure. Again I went about 3-4 miles and had to use water this time. A park ranger gave me the name of a repair shop in twentynine, palms which was about 3 miles away. I refilled the reservoir with water to get me to the shop. Upon inspection, a hole was found in the radiator. When the cooling system was dismantled, one cooling fan had completely disintegrated and there was a hole in the shroud apparently where part of the fan bracket that had broken off went through the shroud into the radiator. Parts have been ordered to replace the radiator, shroud, bracket and one new fan. The other fan has a chip out of one blade but is not broken. A friend told me of a recent recall from vw (assigned recall no. 04v‑107) regarding failure of the engine cooling fans, which may fracture and break apart. I have also noted that the bracket parts number has changed from 7d0-121-206a to a 7d0-121-206d. One can definitely see the difference in the two, with the later being redesigned and reinforced. I purchased the rialta in april of 2001. The bracket, shroud and radiator are available, but I prefer not to carry the radiator with me due to space constraints and weight. I am traveling for at least two more months. Please note: this ia winnebago rialta on a volkswagen engine. The repair shop may retain the radiator if necessary. Bailey's auto repair and towing. Twentynine palms, ca 92277. 760/367-7716. Ask for fred.
Tl*- the contact stated that while having the wheels on the 2001 volkswagen euro van with14000 failure mileage inspected due to constant air leakage the mechanic discovered stress cracks in the two rear wheels. The current mileage was 16100.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving smoke was smelled. The smoke was discovered coming from the front passenger seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. They determined the seat heater burned the seat. The heater and seat were replaced. After picking up the vehicle from the dealership, while driving home the engine blew and the vehicle was taken back to the dealership again. The dealership inspected and determined the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified; however no additional repairs were made.
Dt: contact states vehicle will not start. However, after wriggling the ignition switch the vehicle will start. The service dealer stated it would be an expensive repair, the wriggling of the ignition mightl resolve the problem.
Vehicle experienced electrical wiring problems in front windows on both sides. When pressing the button down to lower the window smoke came out of the door. Consumer took vehicle to a local repair shop, and replaced the wiring which controlled both front windows. Also, the wiring burned down to the control panel.*ak.....consumer paid $491,98 for repairs.
Intermediate drive gear which controls cam shaft and valve train failed due to non hardened metal . Total failure of engine was to ensue, according to volkswagen(maker of vehicle), if driven further. The car was being used to transport my family to seattle ,wa from santa rosa,ca. The failure occurred 500 miles from home and 75 miles from nearest dealer. Was advised by vw that a vw dealer must serve as the diagnostic center . The failure occured in winter and with virtually no warning--the "check engine " light illuminated and the engine made a groaning sound. The van (eurovan 2001) was transported by truck to corvallis,or for repairs. Vehicle is prresently still there and undergoing gear replacement. I was told by the vw service advisor at corvallis that vw had built an unknown number of engines with this defect but did not know in which vehicles they were placed. The vehicle in question has 27,000+/- original miles on engine and all services recommended by vw were made at vw dealerships. I am the original owner.
My brakes are soft and fail to keep the car at rest. The problem started on 09/29/2004. Since then the vw dealer was not able to find the problem even though many parts were replaced.
Compare the 2001 Volkswagen Eurovan
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Questions about the 2001 Volkswagen Eurovan
Is the 2001 Volkswagen Eurovan reliable?
Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 2001 Volkswagen Eurovan, close to a typical Eurovan model year.
What is the 2001 Volkswagen Eurovan year score?
The 2001 Volkswagen Eurovan scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volkswagen Eurovan: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Volkswagen Eurovan?
Engine and cooling, with 8 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles. Next is brakes (3).
How many recalls does the 2001 Volkswagen Eurovan have?
1 recall, covering equipment.
What year does the Volkswagen Eurovan have bad engine?
The Volkswagen Eurovan model years with the most engine complaints are 2000 (13 complaints) and 2002 (13 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2001 Volkswagen Eurovan get?
Official estimates for the 2001 Volkswagen Eurovan range from 16 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.8L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 14-15 city and 18 highway.
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